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Calming Activities to Soothe Anxious Kids

You may remember your favorite childhood celebrities getting “slimed” on the popular variety show “You Can’t Do That on Television.” And like many things totally ’80s, slime is rad again — in a big way — with easy and creative do-it-yourself slime recipes and videos taking over the internet and craft world.

In fact, the gooey craze even caused an Elmer’s Glue shortage in stores around the country (glue being the key ingredient in slime). But the most surprising fact that sticks out about slime? Its newly discovered calming properties.

The popping and squishing sounds associated with slime videos actually triggers an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), a combination of positive feelings, relaxation and a distinct, static-like tingling sensation on the skin. Read: Ambient, repetitive noise gives us all the tingles and may reduce anxiety.

Although ASMR triggers vary per person, the millions of ASMR videos on YouTube are part of an emerging group of alternative calming activities for kids.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE ANXIETY IN CHILDREN

Anxiety in children can manifest in many ways, but some of the more recognizable signs include:

Restless, hyperactive, or distracted behavior.

Phobias and exaggerated fears.

Withdrawing or becoming preoccupied when expected to work with others.

Staying inside, alone, at lunch or recess.

Becoming emotional or angry when separating from parents or loved ones.

Consider implementing the following calming activities for kids into your program to help kids’ mental health:

SENSORY CRAFTS TO SOOTHE ANXIOUS KIDS

ASMR VIDEOS

These calming clips on the internet feature natural and methodical noises like whispering, tapping fingernails, and stirring a bowl of soup. And while household chores may cause stress for some of us, ASMR videos featuring activities like fluffing pillows and making beds are popular.

Mirror, mirror: Choose a leader for your group. That child will choose a pose and show it to the other kids. The other children will copy the leader’s pose (hence the name). Change the leader with each round of poses in order to include all participants.

Yogi says: One child is selected as the Yogi. The other kids must do the yoga poses that the Yogi tells them to do whenever the instruction starts with “Yogi says.” If the Yogi doesn’t use “Yogi says,” then players do not do the pose. Alternate the Yogi so that everyone gets a turn.

Kinetic sand, or sand covered in silicone oil, is stretchy and doughy — and thus, a sensory experience that has garnered thousands of videos and followers online.

While the process of using objects to reduce anxiety in children isn’t new, kinetic sand is an intriguing option for kids because the soft and malleable combination can be manipulated and separated, then easily re-forms. Use it to:

Build castles

Make figures and faces

Shape cookie-cutter forms

Create a beach theme with sea glass

Write messages in the sand

Children today face an unprecedented amount of stressors, but by developing calming activities for kids that provide comfort and cater to kids’ mental health, your program can leave a positive impression on both children and their guardians.

About Sara Rathbun

Sara Rathbun is the Digital Platforms Specialist for ACTIVE Network, where she optimizes content and marketing campaigns for online delivery. With over 8 years of experience working in a variety of markets, she's well versed in marketing strategies for events of all kinds.